Top Primer Picks:

Primers are an essential step in my makeup routine, I would NEVER apply my foundation without it. My current combination is the Too Faced Hangover Replenishing Face Primer all over the face with an extra helping of the Benefit POREfessional through my T Zone. Unfortunately my nose has a bizarre texture and one primer just won’t do, think the Sahara Desert meets an oil slick then you’re half way there! Here’s a rundown of my four favourite primers:

Benefit the POREfessional:

So as I said, my nose is weird. I think it’s the combination of dry skin and large pores that make applying makeup to my nose an absolute nightmare. However Benefit’s the POREfessional seems to be the only thing that can hold the makeup applied to my nose in place and, even after a days’ worth of wear, I can happily confirm that my foundation does not move when I use this primer. It’s an odd consistency, very similar to the Too Faced Primed & Poreless which I also love, both of which have a very soft, balm like feel and I think this is why I love it so much. As you apply the primer you can literally see it filling in your pores, smoothing out the texture of the skin as you go leaving a balanced, even base behind, perfect for both dry and oily skin types alike. 

Marc Jacobs Under(cover) Perfecting Coconut Face Primer:

This is a relatively new discovery for me, I purchased it from Sephora about 4 months ago, and I have been addicted ever since. Incorporating five types of coconut into its nutrient rich formula this primer provides a lovely cooling sensation when applied to the skin and keeps my dry cheeks and forehead nourished for hours. It has a very lightweight, silky feel and also works wonderfully when worn alone for those makeup free days. In all honesty though, the smell alone is enough to make me repurchase this primer again and again.

Stila One Step Correct:

This is the primer I reach for when my skin is especially flushed and I bear a similar resemblance to Elmo. Luckily, this doesn’t happen often, but when it does this is the only primer that can help neutralize my skin thanks to the colour correcting, brightening and moisturising ‘colours’ within the formula. Like the Marc Jacobs primer it is very lightweight and glides effortlessly onto the skin, keeping me hydrated and my redness at bay throughout the day. 

Too Faced Hangover Replenishing Face Primer:

This primer is incredibly similar to the Marc Jacobs Under(cover) Perfecting Coconut Face Primer, maybe that is why I like it so much! The texture, the feel, the tropical scent, it’s like the Marc Jacobs Coconut Face Primer’s cheaper twin. Once applied you can feel that familiar cooling sensation right away and my skin feels instantly hydrated leaving a fresh and flawless base for my foundation. This is the primer I will opt for when I want my foundation to last and don’t want to worry about having to touch up throughout the day/night. 

What are your favourite primers?

Take care x

A Must Have - Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra 24h Foundation:

It takes A LOT for me to love a foundation. Like, a lot. So when I say that I have fallen truly, madly, deeply in love with the Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra 24h foundation it must be pretty special. It doesn’t beat the NARS Sheer Glow (I honestly don’t think anything ever will) but it does come pretty damn close and here’s why... 

First of all, the packaging is beautiful. Smooth, frosted glass and a sturdy clear lid protect the foundation inside and the simple black text with iconic gold floral Lancôme logo make this a perfect dressing table decoration. And let’s not forget the pump, any foundation that comes with a pump gets extra brownie points from me! 

Now onto the actual product itself. This foundation is incredibly smooth to apply whether you’re using a brush or a Beauty Blender and, despite the medium to full coverage, it feels incredibly light on the skin. Luckily for me my skin seems to be behaving itself at the moment but on the days where I have excess redness or the odd blemish here and there this foundation covers it all without looking cakey or like I’ve thrown it on with a shovel. Once applied, this foundation provides a matte finish with only a slight hint of sheen, not something I would normally go for, but thanks to the staying power of this foundation I am more than happy to spend a little extra time applying more highlight at the end of my routine to make up for this. And it really does last. I can apply this foundation at the beginning of my night out (not that I ever go out anymore now that I am mummy to a fur-baby) and know that it will stay put and still look great at the end of the night – or maybe it’s just my alcohol impaired vision that’s drawn me to this conclusion! Either way, it’s a great evening or special occasion foundation, something that will see you through a good 8 to 9 hours without clinging to dry patches or moving around all over the place or if you have a long day planned in the workplace this is a great choice for those who like a heavier coverage in the day time. 

Despite having an SPF of 15, this foundation looks great in photographs. I’ve never experienced the dreaded ‘ghost face’ when wearing this and, even though the factor is rather low, my skin is still protected when out and about in the sun. I honestly didn’t think I would like this foundation as much as I do as it’s marketed as an ‘oil free’ foundation, a phrase that would normally scare my dry skinned self but hey, if the shoe fits! 

Have you tried this foundation, what did you think? 

Take care x

NARS Copacabana Illuminator:

For my first post since my blogging break I thought I would talk about one of my favourite products that I have discovered during 2014/2015: the Nars Illuminator in Copacabana. As I didn’t even attempt to wear eye makeup for the majority of 2014, for me, it really has been all about the face and finding those Holy Grail products that I know will give me the best base possible. 

As the name would suggest it is a stunning, shimmering liquid illuminator that can be used either alone as a cheek bone/brow bone highlight or mixed in with foundation to provide a sheerer, more luminous coverage. But, whilst this product serves both of those purposes perfectly, I have been absolutely loving it as a primer before I apply my chosen foundation.

This beauty packs a very pigmented punch, just a little bit of product goes an extremely long way so be careful not to cross that fine line between radiant glow and dazzling disco ball. I just apply a small amount of this to my entire face keeping clear of my nose and surrounding area (only Benefit’s thePorefessional can keep my foundation from slipping here) and massage into the skin until blended. I then apply my foundation (I have been loving the Illamasqua Skin Base foundation lately) with a damp sponge, do all my contouring and blush etc and that’s it, flawless face accomplished!

What’s great about this NARS Illuminator is that no matter what liquid, cream or powder products you place over the top of it, it still manages to shine through so there is no need to waste time adding additional highlighters – great for all you girls on the go. I have even given this product a little nickname: “my foundation glue.” It just seems to keep my foundation in place all day no matter which foundation I choose and I can happily go about my day or dance the night away knowing that my foundation won’t have creased, faded or slid down to my chin when I come to inspect it in the mirror.

I can’t tell you how many compliments I have had since I started using this as a primer and I would completely recommend it to anyone looking for a versatile liquid highlighter or illuminating primer.

Have you tried this product? What are your favourite highlighters at the moment?

Take care x